‘50 Shades of Grey’ controversy

Fifty Shades of Grey just opened and already it is getting a big thumbs-down from religious and other groups that say it is degrading to women and endorses sexual violence. One social media campaign is encouraging would-be movie-goers to donate their ticket and popcorn money to women’s shelters, while Roman Catholic bishops are using it as what-not-to-do guide to marriage. Good luck with all that. The ticket-buying site Fandango has said pre-sales have propelled the movie, which stars Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson, into the company’s all-time Top 5 for R-rated selections.

EXHIBIT A

The lawyer for Marion “Suge” Knight says a video of a confrontation that ended in a fatal hit-and-run appears to show the former rap mogul was ambushed. Attorney David Kenner says he briefly reviewed the video obtained from a burger stand. The Jan. 29 confrontation left one man dead and another seriously injured. Kenner believes it will aid Knight’s defense of murder, attempted murder and hit-and-run charges. Knight remains in jail and has pleaded not guilty.

UNDER INVESTIGATION

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The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department has released 911 calls reporting the fatal traffic accident involving Bruce Jenner on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. In both recordings the callers immediately described Saturday’s collision as a major accident, and one told the operator one car was destroyed and there were likely injuries. Neither call, however, described how the accident occurred. The four-vehicle crash killed a 69-year-old woman driving a Lexus. Authorities have said the victim’s car rear-ended a Toyota Prius and Jenner’s Cadillac Escalade then rear-ended the Lexus, which veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a Hummer.

UP IN SMOKE

This wasn’t a movie and there was no CGI: Pierce Brosnan watched as part of his home in Malibu, California, was destroyed by fire Thursday night. A witness filmed the 61-year-old action star looking on as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze that spread from his garage to one of the rooms. No injuries were reported. You can see the video on YouTube.

OFFENSIVE POST?

Director Kevin Smith gained a few new fans Wednesday after posting a picture of him cradling the body of his dead dog. The 44-year-old Clerks filmmaker told his followers he wasn’t taking the passing of Mulder, 17, very well. Some social media commentators were sympathetic, but others accused Smith of being an attention whore.

About Madeleine Marr

Former fashion and food writer Madeleine Marr joined the Miami Herald in 2003. The native New Yorker's celebrity coverage includes features, interviews, events, red carpets, premieres, award ceremonies, style, news and gossip in the South Florida area and beyond.